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Honda Motor Shows

Detroit 2012: Honda NSX Concept

2015 Acura / Honda NSX concept

“Like the first NSX, we will again express high performance through engineering efficiency.”

Speaking at the Detroit motor show, Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co, ushered in a new era for the iconic NSX nameplate.

Wearing Acura badging for the North American audience the concept on display looks quite handy. We’re sure the newly developed V6 engine, mid-mounted of course, 7-speed dual clutch transmission and funky sounding Sport Hybrid Super Handling All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system will follow suit.

To further explain the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system Honda says the unique twin electric motor drive mechanism uses a bilateral torque adjustable control system. Huh?

That means the new hybrid AWD system can instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during cornering. Honda reckons this will provide a handling experience unmatched by other AWD systems.

It’s said the new 3.5 litre V6 will offer 230kW of VTEC goodness, with 20kW of electric power available to each of the front wheels and an additional 30kW for the rear axle.

We will probably have to wait until 2015 before this concept becomes a production reality. We may also have to close our eyes and hope for the best when we learn the car will be developed and built in the US; can the Yanks really deliver an NSX worthy of the badge that will appeal to motoring enthusiasts across the globe?

Let’s hope so.

UPDATE 12 January: New pics added below.

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Motor Shows Porsche

Detroit 2012: Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet

Porsche revealed details of its new 911 Carrera Cabriolet late last year, but the car’s first public showing is taking place right now in Detroit.

Matthias Müller, President and Chief Executive Officer of Porsche AG, was on hand for the official duties and says it’s the best 911 cabrio ever, “Our engineers have built the best 911 in 48 years. That applies every bit as much to the Coupé as it does to the Cabriolet.”

Müller hopes the 991 will continue the company’s sales growth. Last year Porsche set a new record when it sent 118,867 out its showroom doors.

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Green Machines Motor Shows Volkswagen

Detroit 2012: Volkswagen E-Bugster

Volkswagen E-Bugster

Volkswagen extends The Beetle model line by presenting the E-Bugster at the Detroit motor show. Featuring retro-cool speedster styling—the roofline is 90mm lower than a regular Bug—and seating for two, the E-Bugster has 85kW of zero-emission power on tap which can propel the car to 60mph in 10.9 seconds.

The “central electric module” weighs 80kg and VW say it provides a range of “at least” 180km in real-world conditions. A quick-charge function offers a relatively short recharge time of 35 minutes with a suitable charging station.

The E-Bugster uses a “Combined Charging System”, developed by a German–US team consisting of Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen as well as Ford and General Motors. This means the E-Bugster can be easily recharged using single-phase AC current or ultra-fast DC charging at dedicated stations.

There’s more pics and detail from Volkswagen after the break.

UPDATE: Official promo video added below.

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Lexus Motor Shows

Detroit 2012: Lexus LF-LC concept

Lexus LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept

With the Detroit motor show now underway, Lexus has officially taken the wraps off its LF-LC hybrid sports coupé concept. You’ll remember they sort of already did that just before Christmas, but now we’re seeing the car from all angles.

Funny thing is, though, at this stage there’s no confirmation of what is powering this sleek and aggressive creation. In fact, specific mention of the drivetrain is saved for the last paragraph of the company’s press release: “The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LF-LC features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency.”

Forget the performance aspect for now and interpret this car as a visual palette for future Lexus styling.

Karl Schlicht, General Manager, Lexus Product and Marketing Planning Division in North America, explains, “We are in the middle of the biggest change in Lexus’s history, inspired by a new generation of distinctive design.

“With its striking looks, this concept hybrid 2+2 hints at the design cues that are coming in a wave of new Lexus models over the next two years.”

Well, we can’t say we’re looking forward to seeing more cars with that pinched-in face, but aside from that this concept looks pretty good. The interior is a little fussy, perhaps, but that should tone down by the time production models are signed off.

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Audi Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda Mitsubishi Nissan Renault Subaru Toyota VFACTS reports Volkswagen

New vehicle sales report – December 2011

FCAI banner

Australia registered over one million new vehicle sales in 2011 the latest FCAI press release reveals. The final tally of 1,008,437 represents the fourth time the country has passed one million sales in a calendar year.

Despite dropping more than 27,000 sales (-2.6%) on 2010 numbers, FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers reminds us this is still something the motor industry should be proud of.

“2011 full year sales are an exceptional result given the effects of natural disasters both at home and abroad throughout the year,” Mr Chalmers said.

“The uptake of new vehicles was impacted early in the year by economic uncertainty, closely followed by natural disasters in the key markets of Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

“Sales were further subdued by Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, with a resulting shortage of export vehicles from that country a secondary outcome of the extreme loss of life experienced by the Japanese people.”

The top three highest selling brands in 2011 were Toyota (181624 sales), Holden (126,095) and Ford (91,243).

Illustrating the continuing demand for smaller cars in the local market the Mazda3 was the highest selling model in Australia last year with 41,429 sales. Traditional volume seller Holden Commodore (40 617) was close behind and the Toyota Hilux (36,124) maintained its recent grip at the top of the sales charts.

More detail and 2012 forecasts from FCAI after the break.

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Categories
Formula 1

Patrick Head leaves Williams F1

Patrick Head with Mark Webber in 2006

Patrick Head is synonymous with Williams F1, that is why his departure is big news for the team and the sport of Formula One. He has been with Williams for 34 years after co-founding it with Sir Frank Williams and was the engineering guru behind the team’s 16 world championships (seven driver’s titles and nine constructor’s).

Last season was one of the team’s poorest years. The official statement from Williams sounds a bit dramatic when it states: “Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC (Ticker: WGF1) today confirms that Director of Engineering Patrick Head will step down from its Board of Directors with immediate effect.”

However, it would appear there is nothing sinister at play and it is more a case of Head winding down his enviable motorsport career. Speaking to Autosport he said, “I certainly did not have an ambition to end my involvement in F1 with the season I have just had behind us.

“But when I have a look at what specifically I can do to assist Mike Coughlan, and Mark Gillan and Jason Somerville, I came to the conclusion that it isn’t enough for me to carry on justifying doing the same thing.

“Certainly it is not the word retirement but I am not going to be directly part of the Williams F1 programme next year.

“I am going to be doing some work for Williams Hybrid Power, which may sound a bit dry and dull but it is actually quite high tech and quite interesting.”

An official statement from Williams Grand Prix Holdings, including comments from Sir Frank, can be read after the break.

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Categories
BMW

BMW M5: Will it drift?

BMW F10 M5

We’ve often admired Steve Sutcliffe’s handiwork at the wheel. Here the Autocar frontman has the BMW F10 M5 at his disposal and a few acres of tarmac. Which begs the question: Just how far can the M5 drift?

Take the jump to find out.

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Categories
MINI WRC

MINI’s WRC woes continue as Meeke is dropped

MINI WRC

MINI WRC driver pairing of Kris Meeke (pictured left) and his co-driver Paul Nagle have been dropped, Autocar reports. At this stage the shock decision has not been officially confirmed and Prodrive chairman Dave Richards has been unavailable for comment.

It’s understood MINI and Prodrive have struggled to find enough sponsorship to keep Meeke/Nagle in their roles for 2012. The Irish duo still have two years remaining on their contract. The status of lead driver Dani Sordo (pictured right) remains unaffected and he will drive in all 12 races next year.

Apparently MINI will auction off their second car to the highest bidder on an event-by-event basis. It is hoped Meeke and Nagle will remain with the team behind the scenes and could return to competition if enough funding can be raised.

It’s the second blow for MINI and Prodrive following the news before Christmas that the team had missed the deadline to lodge their official entry for the 2012 season. Perhaps we now have a reason why.

[Source: Autocar]

Categories
BMW

Learning your stripes

BMW M3 E30 E46 E92

M3Post brings our attention to an M3 photoshoot featuring an original Imola Red E30 along with an Interlagos Blue E46 and a Laguna Seca Blue E92. A nice collection of M3s we’re sure you’ll agree.

Astute observers will also notice the colours of the three cars are reminiscent of BMW Motorsport’s iconic coloured stripes.

Did you know the red colour paid tribute to oil company Texaco who had a partnership agreement with BMW back in the day? The lighter blue is for Bavaria, home of BMW. And the purple colour, a mixture of the red and light blue, represented the harmony between the two companies.

We’re told BMW had to pay for the rights to continue using the red once the agreement with Texaco came to an end.

There’s more after the break and if you follow the source link below you’ll be treated to more photos.

[Source: MClub.LA via M3Post]

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F1 in pictures Formula 1

The 2011 Formula One season in pictures

2011 Japanese Grand Prix

If you find yourself with some downtime on Christmas day we hope you have the chance to reflect back on the 2011 F1 season with this handy reference to our F1 in pictures galleries.

It was clearly a great year for Sebastian Vettel who comfortably defended his 2010 world championship, winning 11 out of 19 races. Let’s hope he has a tougher fight on his hands in 2012.

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Categories
Lamborghini

Easy come, easy go

David Dopp, a 34-year-old truckie from Utah in the United States, went from zero to hero when he won a Lamborghini Murcielago in a convenience store promotion. Bravo him.

Only trouble is he crashed it within six hours of taking delivery. Boo him!

Apparently, while taking a mate for a joyride, he struck some black ice and the rest is history. Fortunately the damage was not too bad and nobody was hurt. And, promises Dopp, he wasn’t speeding officer.

In his own words the Murci is worth more than his own house and the financial burden of simply running the car is too much. Speaking after his accident he said, “I already had offers on it. I’m going to sell it I have bills more important than a Lamborghini. I’ve got a family to support.”

The Murcielago in question is a 2008 model and was valued at US$358,000 prior to the accident, but Dopp has said he will accept offers below $300,000 once it has been repaired.

[via Sun-Times]

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News

Season’s greetings to all our readers

Mark Webber wins 2011 Brazilian Grand Prix

We’d like to wish all or readers a safe and happy festive season. We’ve been forced into an earlier break than we’d like due to a tradesman accidentally cutting the phone line at AUSmotive HQ. It’s due to be fixed today, but like many of you we’ll be hitting the road later today on our way to spend Christmas with family.

A reminder to stay safe and to bring a calm and sharing attitude to the roads. Don’t forget it’s a double demerit period as well.

We’ll also be taking some time off until the second week in January and so any updates during that time are likely to be sporadic.

Wishing you all the best and thanks for your readership throughout the year.

[Pic: RedBull/Getty Images]